Game 2: Gallimore helps Seattle end losing streak against Hawks

Seattle Thunderbirds 4, Portland Winterhawks 1

(1-1) (0-1)

The Thunderbirds let the Portland Winterhawks know very quickly that this season would be different from last. In their first meeting of the season Seattle ended their long losing streak against Portland courtesy of Burke Gallimore’s two goal effort and outstanding goaltending by Calvin Pickard as they defeated the Hawks by a score of 4-1. As in Friday night’s game the Birds took a lead (2-1) into the third period but this time they didn’t give it back, instead they were able to add onto it and put the game away.

The night started out in grand fashion as the Birds welcomed back Glen Goodall who played on the team from 1984-1990. Goodall was certainly part of many battles between Portland and Seattle and maybe his presence gave this Thunderbirds team a little boost. Even though the game started out a little tentative on both sides, things quickly picked up and by the end the shots were 42-38 in favor of the Birds. The first period was dominated by the Birds but Portland goalie Keith Hamilton kept them off the scoreboard and the game remained scoreless until Burke Gallimore started the scoring at 4:22 of the second period on a pass from newcomer Travis Toomey. Less than three minutes later Portland’s Ty Rattie would tie the game at 1. It would stay tied until Luke Lockhart put the Birds back on top at 15:49 of the second with an assist from Marcel Noebels.

So the Birds took a 2-1 lead into the third period and the only question would be if they could hold a one goal lead after blowing a 3-2 third period edge the night before in Everett. Unlike in that game it would be the Birds who were able to draw the first power play opportunity of the period and they took full advantage as Burke Gallimore netted his second of the game and third of the season to give them a 3-1 advantage. It was at this point that it felt as though the Birds were going to pick up their first victory of the season but just for good measure they added another goal as Colin Jacobs scored his first of the young season with just over five minutes remaining. The insurance looked liked it would be necessary as Portland ended up with back to back power play chances including a 51 second 5 on 3 advantage.Seattle though was able to kill it off thanks in part to Calvin Pickard who was at his absolute best in the last four minutes of play, making several impressive saves to keep the game out of reach.

When asked about finally defeating Portland in only their first match-up of the season Thunderbirds Head Coach Rob Sumner said “It felt good…bouncing back from the game last night. We have a good team attitude going right now.” As has been mentioned here before Luke Lockhart looks like a man on a mission and Sumner seems to agree. “He’s been excellent, he’s a very hard worker and his improved physical strength and maturity is really helping his game along.”

I don’t think this win tonight should be underestimated even though some will talk about how Portland was without several key players who will eventually be back from NHL camps. Good teams take advantage of their opportunities and tonight that’s exactly what the Thunderbirds did by defeating a Portland team sans superstars. It’s important for Seattle to gain confidence and to learn how to win. Their killer instinct in the third period has to be a welcome sight for the coaching staff especially after they let one slip away in Everett.

And they no longer have to worry about going winless against the Winterhawks.

Game Notes:

Seattle was without F Tyler Alos (illness…day to day) F Branden Troock (illness…week to week) F Justin Hickman (broken hand..4 to 6 weeks) and D Scott Ramsay (concussion..1-2 weeks)

Luke Lockhart was wearing the C tonight while Brenden Dillon wore it in last night’s game in Everett. Rob Sumner said about the rotating captain situation, “It’s not so much that I can’t decide (on a captain) I like what I see from many guys. We’re going to have a couple of different looks…I’m not saying there won’t be a captain (at some point).

D Dave Sutter had two assists in the game. Burke Gallimore was named the number one star of the game. Attendance at the ShoWare Center was 5,052.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – No scoring. Penalties – Aronson, Por (hooking), 8:06. Doty, Sea (major-fighting), 15:11. Peters, Por (major-fighting), 15:11.

Second period – 1, Seattle, Gallimore 2 (Toomey, Bonsor), 4:22. 2, Portland, Rattie 1 (Bartschi, Wotherspoon), 6:50. 3, Seattle, Lockhart 2 (Noebels), 15:49. Penalties – Sanvido, Sea (slashing), 7:22. Toomey, Sea (interference), 16:07.

Third period – 4, Seattle, Gallimore 3 (Rouse, Sutter), 10:20 (pp). 5, Seattle, Jacobs 1 (Elliot, Sutter), 14:57. Penalties –Swenson, Por (double minor-roughing), 8:43. Jacobs, Sea (roughing), 8:43. Bonsor, Sea (holding), 15:30. Dillon, Sea (tripping), 16:40. Dillon, Sea (major-fighting), 19:54. Darragh, Por (major-fighting), 19:54.

Shots on goal – Seattle 15-13-14 42. Portland 10-14-14 38. Goalies – Seattle, Pickard 38 shots-37 saves (1-1-0-0); Portland, Hamilton 42-38 (0-1-0-0). Power plays – Seattle 1-2; Portland 0-4. A – 5,052. Referee – Matt Kirk, Pat Smith. Linesmen –Ron Dietterle, Bevan Mills

 

Up next: The Thunderbirds take on the Tri-City Americans Sunday at 5:05 pm in Kennewick.